Irene

Top: Newark at West St.

Center: Watsessing

Bottom: Brookside

A video clip from Brookside can be seen here. Both Brookside and Watsessing were converted from lakes into parks. The 1865 map that shows both can be seen here.

Getting Ready to Welcome Irene

Shoprite


Brookside Park 7:30 pm Friday

The Earth Shakes as Downtown Redevelopment Begins

By coincidence, the first full day after ground breaking for Bloomfield's long delayed had our town shaking from an uncustomarily extensive earthquake, that was broad enough in scope to be felt by many on Broad Street and beyond.

Farmers Market Today in Venner Park

There's still time to make the next to last of the Summer Concerts from 4 to 7 by the fountain. Today you can hear the funky sounds if No Name James and Butterball. On the 26th, the Kootz will rock the "Green Scene" -- all sponsored by the Bloomfield Center Alliance. The market will continue on Thursdays thru October.

Brookside

Brookside

Double Feature at Brookdale Park

Hard to believe that Bloomfield's summer outdoor concert season is just about over. Rick Larrimore's tribute to Rod Stewart was the opening act for Bloomfield's own internationally renowned Infernos. If you missed them tonight, you can catch them in Nutley's Memorial Park on August 25th or on Youtube.

Memorial Park

NIght Out in Bloomfield

Strengthening community spirit and preventing crime and drug use is at the core of the annual National Night Out celebration. The Bloomfield police and fire department were active at many locations from Garner St. (above) to N. 15th St. Bloomfield police officers visited neighborhoods throughout the township and provided balloons, stickers and other give-aways to children. Firefighters also visited the neighborhood parties with firetrucks.

Bloomfield Old and New -- landmark book now accessible online

Thanks to the Historical Society of Bloomfield, you can now freely download the entire Google-scanned copy of the original 1912 publication of Bloomfield, old and new: an historical symposium edited by Joseph Fulford Folsom. You can also read it online without downloading the 200 page work. What's really cool is that the extensive index(sampled above) is hyperlinked, so you can easily locate any page with a reference of interest with the click of your mouse.

End Game Near at Foley Field

Originally built in 1934 as a Depression inspired WPA project, Foley Field's massive major renovation project is finally reaching it's goal line. The renovations were funded by a $2.9 million bond passed in 2010 after a more ambitious bond issue was defeated. Bloomfield High's first football game in the new field is scheduled for September.

A live streaming video of Foley Field’s renovations cab be seen at http://www.bloomfield.k12.nj.us/foley/

Go Jump in the Lake!

Since, Bloomfield is one of the few large NJ towns without a public pool, we've found this beach to be the closest, cheapest($5), cleanest, cheeriest, and less crowded of them all.

Stay Cool!

Temps were at an all time high of 108 degrees in Newark today, so we checked out the Bloomfield Township website to see if there were any contingency plans in effect for power failures or seniors in need of help. In fact, Bloomfield has its page updated thusly:

"Friday, July 22, 2011 EMERGENCY NOTICES:
Due to the predicted amount of snow this winter, we would like to request that all residents move their cars off of the street once the snow starts to fall...."

Thankfully, we are now able to enlist the help of Google to find an NJ.com list of Essex County cooling centers that included our very own  "Civic Center, 84 Broad St., open continuously through 6 p.m. tomorrow."
If you know of anyone without working air conditioners, please let them know about this.

By the way, one of Yoshi Manale's observations at Saturday's Q & A was that our town doesn't have the resources to water its newly planted curbside trees. He suggested that we all assume the responsibility of watering the trees on the strips in front of our homes -- or next door if they look parched. It would be a great project for a neighborhood group to organize.

BNAC Interview with Yoshi Manale (Video Link)

The 90 minute discussion with Bloomfield's Neighborhood Association Committee and the Bloomfield Town Administrator can now be viewed online via this WBMA-TV link. After the meeting, Susanna Sotillo commented: "This was a very informative event. Participants from all three wards were represented and we were given sufficient time to ask questions and express our views. Yoshi provided a lot of useful information. This is democracy in action."

Bloomfield's Underground Streams and Lakes

Baristanet just posted an interesting piece on the historic rivers, streams, and ponds of the Bloomfield and Montclair area. Many new maps and diagrams have been unearthed by local historian Frank Gerard Godlewski as a result of the discovery of forgotten underground streams surrounding Montclair's newly constructed Sienna condo complex. At right is one of the more revealing maps (click on map to enlarge) showing the older streams that flow from Montclair to the former Watsessing Pond. The numerous comments reflect a continuing fascination with the subject in both towns.

New State Aid Targeted for Bloomfield Schools Announced

Bloomfield's Public Schools will see $1.6 million in additional state aid for the 2011-2012 school year. This is a result of revised figures from from the Governor's Office.
(Photo of 1939 BHS archery team courtesy of The Historical Museum of Bloomfield)

According to Bloomfield Life, all non-Abbott school districts are receiving a second aid package, matching February's initial allotment. The exact figure is $1,580,857, raising the Bloomfield schools' state funding total to $18,876,003 for 2011-12.

Adjacent towns are seeing a boost as well. Examples include Nutley ($1.08 million), Belleville ($1.16 million), Montclair ($2.2 million) and Clifton ($2.86 million). And East Orange, a former Abbott District, is receiving over $10 million.\

Relay for Life KIcks Off

Last night was the first organizing session for Bloomfield's Relay For Life at Bloomfield High School's Media Center. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.
Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back

Yoshi Manale to Speak at BNAC 10 AM Saturday

Bloomfield Township Administrator Yoshi Manale will be the guest speaker. at Saturday's meeting of Bloomfield's Neighborhood Association Committee. Manale was narrowly confirmed by the Town Council in January after the abrupt resignation of the previous Administrator, Fred Carr.

The meeting format is usually a brief overview by the guest then questions from residents.It will take place in The Mayor's conference room in the second floor of the Police Building at the corner of Montgomery and Franklin streets,

The BNAC is a loosely organized grassroots network of Bloomfield residents which meets 6 times a year to share interests, concerns and events. Anyone can attend meetings. The BNAC sponsors candidate forums and periodically invites local leaders to meet with residents.

The Kootz Plays Brookside

It was a hot night on The Third River as The Kootz's smallest fans shook it up during the concert.

Big News Regarding Thursday Cell Tower Meeting

T-Mobile has requested an adjournment to the Zoning Bord hearings
until September 30th 2011 (July/August/September). Essentially it is
an indefinite adjournment. The only reason given is that "T-Mobile is
presently reviewing certain issues related to this application"

What this means is when T-Mobile is ready to come back in front of
the Zoning Board they will have to re-notice everyone again, including
the ad for the newspaper. It will be read in to the record on Thursday
July 16th, either through Mr. Pryor (T-Mobile's attorney) in person,
or a letter will be read in to the record.

At this point we do not know if the Zoning Board will vote to reject
the application on Thursday because of this adjournment.

Stay tuned for updates.

Treffinger Now Leading Bloomfield Prayers

Jim Treffinger grew up in Maplewood and graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall University in 1972 with a degree in history. . A Fulbright scolar, he earned a J. D. degree from Rutgers School of Law-Newark in 1976.

In 1994, Treffinger became the first Republican County Executive of Essex County in 35 years and was re-elected in 1998. He was a rising star in Republican politics and the favorite to win his party's nomination for a U.S. Senate seat when federal authorities raided his Newark office in 2002. He ultimately admitted he put two campaign staffers on the county payroll and obstructed the federal probe.

After spending time in prison for his crimes, he graduated from seminary and is now one of the pastors at Brookdale Christian Church in Bloomfield.

Bloomfield Map, c.1880

Courtesy of The Historical Society of Bloomfield

Open Gardens comes to Bloomfield

Among seven local hosts for Cornocopia's latest Open Organic Gardens event were two Bloomfielders: Toni Spiotta on Watchung Ave. and Florence Rollino at Wells Ct. Rollino (above) started her own landscaped-designed garden about 10 years ago
and for the past two years has included a 16 x 24-foot
working ‘farm’ within the landscape design. She grows
many, many tomatoes for ‘home-drying’ as well as for
sauce, along with many other veggies and floral displays.
Their next event will be September 17.

Runners Pass Through Broad and Essex Neighborhoods

Video can be seen on YouTube. Here's the official list of those who finished. Congratulations to all!

Route Changes for Tonight's Sunset Classic Run

The 23rd Running benefits The Bloomfield Education Foundation.

Since the early 1980's, The Sunset Classic has been a calendar favorite in Northern New Jersey road racing, On Thursday night, June 30, come celebrate the 23rd running of The Sunset Classic. Lots of special treats are in store, including our famous collared shirt for 5 Milers and the fabulous food and drink that has always been a staple.
Detailed race info can be found on their website. Road closure info can be downloaded here.

Pace of Liongate Remediation Picks Up

Bloomfield College -- 1909 Edition

Courtesy of The Historical Society of Bloomfield

Emergency Meeting on Budget Scheduled and Cancelled

Bloomfield's Residential Rehabilitation Program

Do you own a home in Bloomfield that needs repairs? Could you use help paying for it?
Bloomfield Township's Residential Rehabilitation Program may be able to assist you!

The Residential Rehabilitation Program is funded through the Community Development Block Grant Program. It provides Forgivable Loans to low and moderate income homeowners occupying 1, 2 or 3 family homes in Bloomfield and a handfull of other towns in the region.

What are the funding terms? The funds are provided as a ten year forgivable loan up to $15,000 for the homeowner's dwelling and up to $10,000 for rental units. There is NO monthly payments and NO interest. The loan comes in the form of a lien which is removed and forgiven after the ten year period. If the property is sold or ownership transferred within the 10 year period, then the lien must be paid off in the amount borrowed. Any rental units that are improved by the Program must be rented at affordable rents to low and moderate income families for the 10 year period.

We actually applied for assistance from the CGPH a few years ago and were able to make major repairs and electrical upgrades that we had been putting off for years.

Who is eligible? Owners in Bloomfield, whose property taxes are paid current and who meet the program income guidelines.

For All Your Propane Needs

Unofficial Exhibits Share Stage at Zoning Board Hearing on Cell Tower Proposal

It will be at least two more months until the residents can formally present their case in opposition to T-Mobile's proposed cell tower, but photographic evidence of the Broad and Bay site's problems was posted around the meeting room.

Brookside

Taken nearly 3 hours after flood stage.

Cell Tower Meeting Scheduled Tonight

Tonight, Thursday, June 16th, is yet another hearing by the Bloomfield Zoning Board at 7:30 PM in the Bloomfield Municipal Building, At least two more meetings will be necessary to decide whether the Township of Bloomfield will grant a zoning variance to allow the building of 120 foot cell tower, "disguised" as a flagpole in our neighborhood. You can get involved with the raised by the proposed tower on this Facebook page.

Brookdale Park

Rash of Restaurant Burglaries on Broad St.

From Bloomfield's Police Department's Crime blotter:

The owner of Stamna Greek Taverna of Broad Street reported $3,800 as stolen from a cash register June 5. The back door was found forced open.

A manager at Shiki Wok of Broad Street reported $150 as missing from a cash register when the business opened for the day June 5. The front door was found unlocked.

The owner of Boonsong Thai Cuisine of Broad Street reported an unknown individual kicking in the back door to the restaurant June 5. No money was taken.

Bloomfield's Biggest Crack?

Step on a crack, break your mothers back! (Click on photo to enlarge)
Noticed this recently on Baldwin PL. near Newark Ave. The familiar proverb may actually have started as far back as here.

A New Look for Council Comments

Last night's Town Council meeting is worth checking out for several reasons: an extended update on Megan's Law by Christine Fay of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Fay noted that 10 registered sex offenders are currently registered in Bloomfield. Details of the locations of all "Tier 3" offenders can be accessed from the NJ State Police Internet registry for sex offenders at http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/reg_sexoffend.html.

Because of the length of Fay's presentation, the podium was moved so that she could face the the audience -- and the TV camera, so viewers of WBMA-TV were able to see the faces of all speakers at the podium for the first time. Not sure who should get credit for this move, but it's amazing that no one suggested it before now. Time will tell if this encourages or discourages residents to speak out at the future meetings. About 58 minutes into the meeting, Councilman Nick Joanow suggested that the Council make the new podium setup permanent when he was inexplicably gavelled down by the mayor who snapped: "We don't need that conversation -- allright we'll leave it there!." We had to wonder of this was an expression of lingering bitterness over Joanow's trouncing of his handpicked challenger the day before.

The town engineer gave a lucid explanation to former councilman Gary iacobacci (pictured) on how 2 specific Change Orders were evaluated.

Township officials reviewed a budget amendment that would have increased total appropriations and revenue from $69.9 million to $70 million. The vote was 3 to 3 on its adoption so the motion was tabled. Councilman Michael Venezia was not present at the meeting.

First Night for Cruise Night

Throughout most of the summer, Wednesday NIghts are Cruise Nights in downtown Bloomfield. Sponsored by the Downtown Alliance, Cruise nights go from 6 to 9PM on Broad Street near Bloomfield Avenue.

Nick Joanow's Record

Vote!